Today we’d like to introduce you to Celia Friedman.
Hi Celia, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I feel like I’ve always been a designer and organizer. Growing up, I would constantly rearrange and redecorate my room, moving furniture around into the wee hours of the night trying not to wake up my parents in the next room. I studied interior design in college at a small school in Philadelphia called Moore College of Art & Design.
Though I decided a traditional office job was not the right path for me, I am grateful for what I learned and bring that background into projects if clients want furniture or artwork refreshed along with decluttering. A large part of why I started a business is because I go commercial salmon fishing with my family every summer in a tiny, remote village in southwest Alaska and need the flexibility to take time off.
I’ve been doing that since I was ten months old. Working in Alaska grounds me. I love taking a break from fast-paced modern life to re-center and re-focus on what matters most to me. The things we have (clothes, tools, etc.) feel more significant because we can’t just drive to a store to get replacements. I’m reminded to be grateful for what I have and treat my things with care.
After college, I moved to Spokane, Washington, fell in love with the rugged beauty of that part of the country, and started a decluttering and design business. I ran that business for about four years while also nannying. I’m from Baltimore and moved back this summer to be close to my parents, family, and friends.
I started Making Room to continue doing what I love, which is helping others create simplified, beautiful spaces that function easily and relieve stress.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Yes and no. When I lived in Spokane, I joined a Creative Enterprise class, which got a group of entrepreneurs together to learn the ins and outs of running a business and practice how to pitch our businesses. I found the class so helpful and felt I had an abundance of resources.
Now that I’ve launched my business in Baltimore I am starting to network and get the word out about my services. Honestly, I think the most challenging part of having a service-based business is having to sell yourself; and tell people why your service is worth investing in. Talking about my services comfortably and confidently has been a challenge and something that is directly related to my confidence and self-worth.
Over the years, as I’ve worked with clients, family, and friends doing decluttering, organizing, and design, I’m reassured that I have a special gift; something not everyone is good at or knows how to do. I’m still on the journey, but I believe in myself and what I have to offer as being unique and valuable.
As you know, we’re big fans of Making Room. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Making Room is a Baltimore-based business offering decluttering and organizing, gallery wall design, and paint color selection services. I believe home is a sacred space that should relieve stress, not cause it. I’m passionate about helping others organize spaces for their own happiness and comfort. I bring my design background to every project.
Decluttering and design go hand in hand. When you let go of what you no longer want or need, it creates space to reorganize and redecorate. Not only does decluttering move things out, it also releases stagnant energy so you have room to focus on your current work/hobby/interest/project, etc. A new furniture layout, artwork refresh, or shelves styled with your favorite items bring inspiration and satisfaction to your home. Something we are seeing a lot of these days is meticulously organized spaces; everything is decanted, and everything has matching labels.
For most people, this is unrealistic to maintain and can be very expensive. I am not an Instagram organizer. I am like a good friend who comes in to help you with something that has been weighing on your mind, something highly personal that might even be shameful or embarrassing to share and challenging to start on your own. Through hands-on decluttering sessions, I teach clients simple decluttering methods and organize the items left so everything is maintainable and intuitive for you to use long after our work together is done.
I find most clients have exactly what they need to organize their things, but we can always get something if necessary. The biggest thing I want people to know about decluttering is that once we get started, it will be much easier than you imagined!
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Determination, the belief in myself and my offerings, and the quote “If at first, you don’t succeed, try, try again.”
Contact Info:
- Email: makingroombiz@gmail.com
- Website: www.makingroom.biz
- Instagram: @makingroombiz
- Facebook: @makingroombiz
